Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1887-11-03
4 atAtional Locals.

DEATH OF JUDGE RITCUIE-Wc take the
following notice Of the death Of Hom John
Richie from the columns ofthc Citizen.
Our community WAS shocked Yesterday TO
learn OF the death Of Hon John Richie chef
justice Of the Judges of the Court Of Appeals
of Maryland, which occurred at his residence
here about one o'clock in the morning.
Judge Richie had appeared in failing health
for the p ut year, but until recently his NAL
ady was not generally supposed to be of a
serious character, As ,hc was still able to al
tend to his official duties until about two
weeks ago. On Thursday, 18th instant. he
was present at our agricultural far, but
since then has been confined to bed and for
some days past was unable to retain any
nourlshmcnt, but ii was hoped that he might
DC relieved of this tendency to nausea, and
though it had become known that he was af-
fcted with BrghtS disease and that there
was little probability Of his recovery, vet il
was thought that he might live some time
and his death therefore came sudden and I'M
expected. Wednesday afternoon his con.
dtion seemed So much worse that his family
tclcgraphcd to his brother, Hon. Albert
Rltchie OF Baltimore, summoning hun to the
Judges bedside ant requesting him to bring
Prof Chew along. They arrived Wednesday
night and Prof Chew immediately pronoun-
ced the case hopeless aud death imminent.
Judge RItGlIlc was the Oldest son ofDr. John
Ritchje, who was well known and talented
physician OF this city, and was born August,
1881, and consequently Sc years old. He
was "ducatcd at the Frederick Academy and
Harvard University, and read medicine with
ais father, contemplating engaging in that
prot boion, but attcrward concluding that it
would not be congenialto his tastes, entered
upon the study of law with Hon. William p
Maulshy, ST., with whom he formed co.
partnership upon his admission to the bar,
and one fwhosc accomplished daughters he
married. Judge Richie was a man Of fine
physique a'!abc manners and engaging adj
dress, and probably the most eloquent orator
in Western Maryland. in his early man.
hood he was ldrz,tiied with the Wing party,
and soon began to iakean active part in pol
l'lcs as a stump speaker. Upon the dissou-
tlon of the Wing party he Joined the Demo.
cratic party, with which lie has ever since
been connected. On.thc occasion of the
John Brown raid at Harper's Ferry, in 1853,
"the Junior invinciblcs' militia company
OF this city, Of which Ritchic was captain,
was ike FIRST to tender their services 10 Pres.
l',ln Buchanan, which, being accepted, the
company, under his command, were among
the first to reach the scene ofthe disturbance,
in the following year Oe60) he was one of
the PrGsldelfrl electors nominated on the
Brcckcn ridgc ticket and in 1867 was elected
States Attorney for this county on the Dem.
ocratic ticket and before the expiration Of
hie term of officc was, in 1870, elected to
CongIcas. In 1872 he was re-nominated,
but defeated by Hon. Lloyd Lowndce, of
A'lcgany county. On the l6th Of March,
1881, GOV Hamilton appointed Mr. Richie
TO the Chief Judycsbip Of this circuit, made
vacant by the dealt. ut the lnmaItcd Richard